Working Mom

Jayden wasn't too interested in the bunny. But he took a really cute picture with his friends Jake and Alexis.

October represents 4 years now that I haven't worked. I took off work for maternity leave and never really came back. God had other plans for me. I have spent the last year volunteering at Jayden's school in his class which has turned into a great opportunity for me. In October I started working at Walton as an assitant teacher. I am there all the time anyways I guess I might as well be getting a paycheck. I am very excited to work hands on with each kid. They are all so special. One of my first assignments was to plan a field trip to the pumpkin patch. This can be a difficult field trip for our kids because they are limited in what they can do. But we made the most of it and took full advantage of our time there. The kids got to feel different textures like the leaves of the walnut tree or a smoothe pumpkin. We even got to take them on a hayride. I think they really enjoyed it. They each got to take a pumpkin home, but not before we decorated it with their hand prints. Each child had to hit a switch to help teacher Amy drill two eye holes in their pumpkin so we could light them up. They turned out really cute. Also the shirt that Jayden is wearing he made in class. It was a white shirt that was tied with rubberbands that made the shape of a pumpkin. Jayden had to hit a switch to help Amy turn on the device that squirted orange dye on the shirt. All of the kids wore their shirts to the pumpkin patch.

Dancing With The Stars

On October 9,10, & 11th Jayden was in a play titled, " Dancing With The Stars And The Planets Too!" The play was at the Stockton Civic Theatre. This was the 18th annual production featuring persons with challenges. It was written and directed by Bobbie Wallinger and underwritten by Thelma Stewart and The Ladybugs. This play featured children from Stockton Unified School District (Walton), School for Adults, and the Alan Short Center. We had 3 shows and they were all sold out. Jayden and his friends in the picture were rolled out on stage during Twinkle Little Star. There wasn't a dry eye in the building. The whole play was wonderfully thought out for each individual. Jayden was dressed up as an astronaut with his wheelchair decorated. The other kids were in the bye bye buggy that was made into a spaceship. It was the cutest thing ever! We are so proud of all the students and thank you to everyone who came out and supported the children. Special thanks to everyone behind the scenes that made it all possible. We'll be back for another performance next year.

Staying busy!

There is so much to catch everyone up on. Last Spring I decided to go back to school. I am back at Delta taking prerequesites for the nursing program. Lucky for me I had quite a few college credits already so taking on these classes didn't seem so bad. My first few classes were online. This worked out perfectly because with my hectic schedule taking kids here and there I could work at my own pace. It's actually been fun and challenging. Before Jayden I would've run from a challenge and now I take it head on. Hmm go figure! This fall semester I am taking Anatomy. This class has turned into a huge challenge for me. I can barely remember my name and this professor is asking me to memorize the body inside and out. Lucky for me I have some awesome girls in my class who have become the best study buddies ever. We have all become friends and are great at pushing each other in achieving our common goal of becoming the best nurses. Next semester I'm off to chemistry and I am sure I'll be wishing I was back in Anatomy. Jose and the kids have been very supportive. Do you know how hard it is for them to let me study? They've been great. It's funny to hear my kids say," Aw man, you have to study again?" But I know I am setting a good example especially for Jeana and Andres. It has become a competition in this house as to who has the best grades. My son Andres has been an enormous help to me. Before I signed up for Anatomy I asked him if he was comfortable watching Jayden early in the morning so I could go to class. He has been awesome. Andres knows how to take care of a seizure, give him breathing treatments, and make sure that Jojo is ready for school by the time I get home. I couldn't do it without him. Thanks son!

Good luck Makaiya

I can't believe that Jayden's first school year has officially ended. I can still remember when I found out that he would be going to preschool and his early intervention program would come to a stop. I spent six LONG months dreading that day. But to my surprise I had a change of heart. Last November Jayden turned 3 and it was determined that Walton Special Center was the right place for him. We met a ton of nice people including Makaiya and her Mom Latrina. Makaiya was so fun to watch. She was definately ahead of the rest of the class. And because of that she has moved on to a higher functioning class at Hoover. It was the right move for her and we are all excited to see how well she does. Ladies we will miss you! Good luck and stay in touch.

Jayden had surgery today

Jayden had surgery this morning at Lori Memorial Hospital for his ears. This is his second set of tubes. The first ones were placed in January 2006. The last couple of months Jayden has had alot of problems with his ears. I took him back to the ENT and he said it was time to do it again. The left tube was completly gone and the right one wasn't functioning correctly. Jayden is such a trooper! They took him right in, the procedure only lasted about 20 minutes. He woke up soon there after with a smile. He took his meds right away and we were able to come home. He isn't acting like he's in any pain. I am very happy with how it all went.

Always busy at school

Jayden really enjoys school. He has the most awesome teachers, Amy and Raquel. They are so great with all of the kids. Every child is unique and they make sure to focus on their strengths and not their weaknesses. Jayden loves to ride the bike. Everyday he gets a work out. Each child takes a turn in the crawler (above right), the bike, the stander, the gatetrainer, the swing, and when it's time to relax they have a mattress that vibrates. Not only does he get a physical work out but he does arts and crafts too! Jayden's teachers are very creative, they allow the kids to get messy with paint, feel different textures, and right now they are working on a book of food. Each child has their own book with pictures of different food like apples and squash. Part of the whole experience is looking at the picture, feeling a piece of food and ultimately tasting it. Jayden got to taste an orange this week, let's just say he didn't care for it too much!

The VEST

This weather has been horrible for Jayden. It's allergy season and that means that Jayden has it rough. He can't be outside in the wind so he has been missing out on things like his brothers baseball games. Lately we've had to make sure to find a perfect parking spot because Daddy sits in the car with Jayden to shield him from the wind. I have a new best friend. It's called, "The VEST". In this picture Jayden is wearing it. Simply it's a vest that I put on Jayden that is attached to a machine. When I turn it on it pounds on Jayden's back and chest to loosen up any secretions. It works like a charm by helping him to cough it up. So anytime Jayden starts sounding course I hook him up for 20 minutes. I thought for sure he wouldn't like but I was wrong. The first couple of times I hooked him up he fell asleep. I borrowed this machine from Isaac's Mom, thanks Claudia!!!!

Jayden Makes New Friends

This is Jayden's friend Isaac. These two are the only boys in the class with all these beautiful little girls. Isaac and Jayden get along great. The enjoy doing the same things. Standing in the stander, riding the bike, and it's always a competition who finishes lunch first. Believe or not, Isaac can out eat Jayden any day! This is Jayden's friend Emonie. Secretly I think she has a crush on Jayden. Every morning they lay down on the mat next to each other for a wonderful massage. And every morning Emonie smiles and starts talking everytime she see's Jayden. She is a bright little girl and so full of love. I really enjoy watching her make progress. When Emonie smiles everyone smiles. She lights up the room.

This is Jayden's new friend Makaeya. She is so cute! Everyday she blows me kisses, we tease her Mom by saying she is the "Valedictorian" of the class. She loves to show off in the gatetrainer and play on the computer. She keeps us all entertained.

This is Jayden's other friend Caitlyn. A few weeks ago before spring break Walton went on a walk on the levy. It was alot of fun. Jayden and Caitlyn are wearing t-shirts from that special day. All of the kids did very well and were very patient. After the walk we headed over to Kohl school for a BBQ and a outside mini concert.

Jayden & Jacy Reunited

Jayden took his first ride in a big airplane. He and I flew to Arizona to visit the Simmer family. He did so well on the plane. He had to sit in his own chair so Mommy had to get creative with a blanket and neck pillow to keep propped up. He listened to his IPOD the whole way. It was a pretty cool experience.

Jacy and Jayden were so cute together. She wanted me to put on a blanket on the floor so she could play with him. She really enjoyed pushing him around in his wheelchair. I am pretty sure he didn't mind bumping into the walls. LOL. I just couldn't get enough of that little girl. She tells the most amazing stories, so dramatic and well thought out. She talks with her hands and you should see the facial expressions that go along with it. Jacy's little brother Jake had the sweetest smile. Jayden liked to lay around with Jakey and just do what lil guys do.

It was a really fun weekend. Jody and I got to spend alot of time together. It was amazing how much we squeezed into one small weekend. We got to go visit Mary and RJ whom we met through Jody and Jay. We consider them family. Thanks for Jayden's Teddy Bear, he really loves it. We also got to go to a Pampered Chef party held by one of Jody's friends. And we had a BBQ at Candy's house. I had so much fun and can't wait to do it all again. Thanks for having us!

I'll be posting some more pics soon.

xoxo,

Brandy

The Simple Cold According to Jayden

You know when you or I get a cold we can usually just tough it out. We may pop a pill here and there to see us through. But for the most part it isn't very devistating to us. Tell this to Jayden. This kid has been having the toughest time this winter. He was hospitalized twice last November, and since has been to several doc appts and at least one antibiotic a month since then. Then there's breathing treatments daily, Nasonex to help him out so he can drink his bottle, and the list goes on. Right now Jayden is taking his 3 seizure meds plus 4 others just to get through each day without choking to death on boogies! Through it all he does it with grace. He is truly such a blessing. He doesn't complain, takes the meds and everything else I throw at him just like a pro. He really is my little "Professional Patient". I took Jayden to the Ear, Nose, Throat Doctor yesterday to have his ears checked. The tube in his left ear wasn't even attached to the ear drum anymore so Dr. Limb went ahead and pulled it out. These tubes have been in since January 2006 and should be falling out on their own soon. Since Jayden has been having steady problems with his ears we have made the decision to go back in two weeks for surgery to have the tubes placed for a second time. This is actually very common and I am not worried about the procedure at all. They will put him out for a very short time and he did just fine the last time. You would think that taking a few minutes out of each week to keep up this blog would be easy. I have been so busy and overwhelmed lately. You may not know but I am taking online classes right now, coaching Jojo's t-ball team, taking care of Jayden, volunteering at Walton, and trying to keep my family in order. Don't get me wrong, I am enjoying every minute of it :) Love to you all, Brandy

Snow Day!!!

Today was a snow day at Walton Special Center. That's Jayden and his teacher Amy going down the man made slope in the playground. He really enjoyed it. All of the kids did. Jayden has never been to the snow. I am sure most of these kids have never been either but they sure did have fun! Thanks Walton for making each day a special day. And thanks Amy for braving the slope! :)

Love,

The Correa's

Jayden Rides A Bike

I was so excited when I saw this bike. This a special bike for children with special needs who don't have trunk control. Jayden is sitting in it all strapped in while I pull it. He can pedal by himself if he chooses to. He and I walked all around the parking lot at Walton. At times he would give it a big push. I can't even express the way I felt to see him doing something "normal". Jayden seemed to enjoy being outside and doing something new.

What An Exciting Week!

These pics were taken by Lisa at the doctors office where we jump into the chamber everyday. Jayden and I look ridiculous! Those caps that we have on are delivering oxygen to us. Lisa pushes the chair into the chamber and seals it shut. That's when our journey begins. The treatments takes around 45 minutes to complete.

The two of us are crammed in there pretty tight. Jayden is such a trooper!

Hyperbaric Chamber Oxygen Therapy

Hi everyone! It has been so long since I have took the time to sit down and let you all know what's new. This week Jayden started treatment in a Hyperbaric chamber. I had heard of this awhile ago and didn't think much of it. I started reading about it and asking questions and decided that since it can't hurt we'd go for it. I found out that my Uncle Ray's doctor in Manteca had just got this chamber. The doctor's name is Melford A. Larson. I called him up and we discussed Jayden's case. He was a little concerned at first because of his seizures. I talked him into meeting Jayden so that we could further discuss this. Once he met Jayden and read over his files he felt much more at ease. He kept saying, "He doesn't look at all what I expected. He looks great!"

So Monday afternoon Jayden and I hoped into the chamber for a trial run. Yes I too had to get into this incredibly small contraption. I wasn't nervous at all. I thought, I can do anything as long as it will help my son. I really didn't think I was chlosterphobic until we got in there. Let me explain.....I sit on this chair holding 40lb Jayden on my lap. They push us into the chamber and lock us in (YIKES). You can feel the pressure in your ears, and time goes by really slow. Monday and Tuesday were HORRIBLE! But yesterday we sat down and went right in there like pros. We'll continue doing this treatment everyday for the next two weeks.

I can already see improvement in him. The first thing I noticed was he was tracking me. He was actually following me as I walked from one side of his chair to the next. Last night Jayden was watching TV and I kept turning his chair away from the TV and he kept turning his head so he could see it. He was so cool! He seems more alert and for sure more opinionated. I love it! I can't wait to see what God has in store for him. These treatments are't cheap and insurance won't pay for it. They consider it experimental and don't think it will help. I just know that this has got to be the answer to our prayers. I am going to give this little man the best shot at life possible. Even if it means conquering my own fears.

Looking Back At 2007

We have been blessed so much this year. 2007 started out rocky when Jayden all of a sudden quit being able to sit up. He started loosing skills and we found out he was having Infantile Spasms. I was devistated but friends and family were determined. Thanks to Jody emailing Jayden's story anywhere and everywhere he became famous. Jayden was on the Fox 40 news twice. Triad Investment group was responsible for making our house wheelchair accessible and giving us a ramp, and just in the nick of time. Our cousin Christina called me and wanted to plan a fundraiser for Jayden. Thanks to her and Gloria of Antonio's Catering (and many, many others) we made it happen last September. It has been one blessing after another. This year has been amazing in so many ways. I am so grateful to all of you who continue to follow Jayden's journey and pray for him to have the best life possible. We as a family our doing wonderful, infact just before Christmas Jose got a raise! He is so excited and it is well deserved. Thanks honey for all of your hard work. We are looking forward to 2008! God bless you all, Brandy My New years resolution.......keep up the blog :)

Jayden's Got A Brand New Chair

Jayden just received this chair a couple of weeks ago. It's actually kind of cute. I love his name on the chair. Jayden likes it, he fits in it perfectly. This chair can tilt back if needed and is really easy to manuever. The only bad thing is that it doesn't fold down like the old one did. I had to take half of the backseat out of my car just to fit it in there. It's much heavier too! I am working on trying to get some kind of lift that will reach down and pick it up and put it in the car for me. A wheelchair ramp isn't an option at this time because insurance won't pay for it and the cost is well over $20,000. I'll worry about that later when I can no longer lift him. He is getting to be a Chunky Monkey! But Momma is strong!

Merry Christmas

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

This year we had Christmas at our house. My Mom (you gotta love her) came to my house extra early on Christmas morning to cook a wonderful meal for our entire family. It was really nice to have everyone together in our home. The kids really had a nice Christmas. Jojo was so cute, he couldn't wait for Santa to come. We made cookies the day before and he decorated a few extra especial cookies to be left out for Santa. And to his suprise Santa wrote him a nice little note thanking him for the cookies. He was able to read the note all by himself, it was priceless!

Jayden's Nina and Nino bought him a very special book called, "The Legend Of The Candy Cane". It's a very special book that tells us how a candy cane can represent Jesus and all He does for us. We will make it one of our family traditions to read this book to the kids on Christmas Eve. God bless you all.

Love,

Brandy

Jayden's First Day Of Preschool

I have been dreading this day for the past 6 months. I just can't stand the thought of Jayden going to school with other kids, sharing equipment,and laying on the same surfaces. When people started preparing me that when he turns 3 he would move on and need to go to school I made up my mind that he wouldn't be going alone. Jose was having a hard time with it too. He felt much more comforted when I said I would be with him. So on November 26, 2007 Jayden and I went to school. Daddy took an early lunch and met us there. His teachers name is Amy and she is AWESOME! My fear has now turned into excitement. I can't wait to see how well Jayden will be doing 6 months from now. This is a new adventure for us.

Happy Thanksgiving

Jayden just got out of the hospital and is still feeling icky! But we are home and that is definately something to be thankful for. Just wanted to wish you a blessed day of spending time with family and friends. God bless, The Correa's

Home Nursing

Well after we made it through our fun birthday weekend things kind of went down hill. I called Dr. Cahill to let her know that Jayden was STILL not eating or drinking ANYTHING. I didn't want him back in the hospital because of the flu season. If I could just get some fluid in him... I suggested home nursing. I thought a nurse could come out, access his port, stay for an hour while he got some fluid in him. Instead what did I get? I got a nurse who came out and watched me access the port, he then decided that since I could do that I could run the pump myself :0

It was time for a crash course in running an IV pump. Nursing 101 here I come! At first I was in shock, but after I wrapped my brain around what he was telling me it kind of became fun. It was definately a challenge and I am glad I did it. I would've been even happier if the whole event had kept him out of the hospital. After 2 bags of IV fluid Jayden threw up. He was coughing and gagging so hard that he couldn't keep it down. The next morning he was admitted to the hospital here locally. He was there until Thanksgiving afternoon. My Mom was wonderful enough to come to my house early that morning and cook Thanksgiving dinner for me and my family. Jayden was sick a total of 4 weeks. He even missed what should've been his first week of school. He's much better now.